Koenigsegg Delivers the First KNC Regera!

Recently, Koenigsegg delivered the first Regera to a customer in ‘naked’ carbon fiber. Yes, instead of paint, or even coated carbon, this car has straight-up carbon. Koenigsegg Naked Carbon, or KNC, has no coating, lacquer, or varnish. Furthermore, the thin layer of epoxy is removed via polishing by hand. If whomever strokes slightly more than necessary, the weave structure could be ruined… phew! That’s a ton of pressure on the people, or person, who handle this task. With Regera meaning “to reign” or “to rule” in Swedish, this person definitely reigns the carbon world. Not surprisingly, the raw carbon style looks absolutely stunning!

Some Specifications on the Regera

The Koenigsegg Naked Carbon Regera is quite a phenomenal vehicle on the outside. But, let’s also take a look “under the hood”. The Regera sports a 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. Furthermore, there are (3) total electrical motors. These include (2) YASA 750 R motors and (1) YASA P400 motor. Together, the engine and electric motors produce 1,500 horsepower! Furthermore, all of this power works in combo with a Koenigsegg Direct Drive transmission, a 1-speed fixed gear setup. So, there is no “granny shiftin’, not double clutchin’ like you should” (Dom in The Fast and the Furious) in this car. Finally, this car has a 4.5 kW-h liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. This battery can run solo for up to 22 miles. Do note, this battery is more so for the electric motors than actual driving distance.

Koenigsegg Naked Carbon FTW!

2018 Koenigsegg Regera – Jay Leno’s Garage – YouTube

The Koenigsegg Naked Carbon Regera is a winner. This car is absolutely striking on the exterior with a powerhouse system inside. With 1,500 horsepower, this car competes with the crème of the crop. To handle this power, the car has (3) traction control settings: Normal, Track, & Wet. Obviously, each of these have a purpose. Let’s make sure not to forget the Koenigsegg Agera RS or the “Ragnarok“. Overall, the Koenigsegg Regera in KNC is another amazing delivery by the Swedish company.

VW Considers Manufacturing in U.S.

Surprising to many, Ford and Volkswagen have become close friends in recent years with big plans in mind. Ford and VW are already partners for commercial vehicles, but there are quite a few other possibilities going to take place. No, VW will not have equity in Ford. But, the two companies will work together to benefit each other. This won’t be the first-time automakers from separate continents came together for both to benefit. For more details, expect a public statement sometime in January of 2019. For now, this article will cover what is known so far.

The Known & the Unknown

While it is already known that Ford and Volkswagen work together on commercial vehicles, the rest is not set in stone. There are quite a few possibilities to take place between the companies. Firstly, VW may build Ford vehicles in Europe. Secondly, Ford will build a Ranger style pick-up for VW. Now, VW has interest in building units at Ford’s U.S. plants. Why you may ask? Most likely due to current threats from the Trump administration. Trump has threatened European manufacturers with tariffs that would ruin their sales in the U.S.. Although an extremely dumb decision, European manufacturers have reason to worry. With a firecracker like this, who knows what will come next.

What Will Come of Ford & VW?

Volkswagen may use For manufacturing plant, in talks with Tennessee for new plant – CNBC Television – YouTube

Many people wonder, what will come of the partnership between Ford & Volkswagen? But, only the future will tell. Recently, VW CEO Herbert Diess spoke to reporters in Washington, D.C.:

“We are building an alliance with Ford which will strengthen Ford’s position in Europe because we will share platforms… We might use Ford capacity here in the U.S. to build cars for us.” – VW CEO Herbert Diess

With a statement like this, Ford and VW will most likely work together in some way, if not all. There is also a possibility that VW will build a second plant. The CEO has stated that VW is in “quite advanced negotiations in Tennessee but there might be other options as well.” In conclusion, the Ford and VW relationship could make for a beautiful friendship between major companies.

2018 Volkswagen Atlas – Front – PAS 2018 – EuroDrift

Note: The featured image is the property of the Volkswagen manufacturer.

High Demand for the Taycan

Due to strong demand, Porsche plans to increase Taycan production beyond 20,000 units per year. The Porsche Taycan is an all-electric vehicle, previously known as Mission E, that is taking the market by storm. Porsche received so many early reservations on the Taycan, that it is building a facility specifically for it. In Zuffenhausen, Germany, Porsche will build the Taycan at its own facility. Furthermore, this facility even includes an assembly line and paint shop. That means that the manufacturer has very high hopes for this model. With production beginning mid-2019, Porsche is getting ready to surge the auto market.

Basics About Porsche Taycan

Under the hood, the Porsche Taycan does not have a typical Porsche V6 or V8. But, this car does sport two permanently excited synchronous motors. These work in combo to produce over 600 horsepower. This power level will allow the Taycan to reach 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds. Furthermore, Porsche expects the Taycan to hit 124 mph in 12 seconds. Finally, with a 800 volt battery, the car can charge for 250 miles in around 15 minutes.

The Future of Porsche is Coming

Overall, Porsche seems to be opening up more and more to electric vehicles. With the Porsche Taycan, the company will “dip its toes” into the electric auto market. This will surely shape the future of the company moving into the electric rush of the 2020s. Other companies are already working towards major releases such as the Audi E-Tron GT, the BMW iNext Vision, and the Mercedes-Benz Vision Urbanetic. Currently, the Taycan will be split between the Cross Turismo and sedan variants with a Targa version possible in the future. Surprisingly, the largest demand for this car was in Norway with 3,000 paid down payment orders. Usually, Porsche only sells 600 total cars in this country. In conclusion, the Porsche Taycan is sure to stir up the electric auto market, including Tesla.

What is the Difference?

In the automotive industry, cars have suspension systems that differ depending on car type, manufacturer, and/or modifications. The most common discussion is between coilovers versus the typical shock and spring layout. While shock and spring is pretty straight forward, some may be confused about how coilovers work. But, let’s review shock and spring setup first, due to simplicity. For a shock and spring system, the spring sits atop the shock. This is the typical suspension seen in cars such as the Audi S5. Most cars come with this system, but many mod enthusiasts decide to replace it with coils.

When people replace springs on a car, it simply lowers the car via spring height. But, it also places more stress on the shocks. It is best to replace both the shock and spring, unless budget is an issue. Struts can be replaced as well, allowing for even more improvement. But, coilovers still offer a ton more adjustability overall. Let’s dive a bit deeper into coilovers below!

A Bit More Info on Coilovers

Coilovers on the other hand, are a bit different. As an auto suspension device, similar to the MacPherson strut, a coilover has a spring encircling a damper. This is different as it does not simply sit atop, such as the spring and shock system. Furthermore, this setup allows for greater range of adjustability. These include altering ride height, spring preload, shock damping, and rebound. Also, for anyone who doesn’t know, coilover is short for “coilover shock absorber”. Lastly, for your info, high-end coilovers are usually lighter than a typical system and increase handling.

If You Don’t Know, Now You Know!

If you didn’t know the difference, now you know! Coilovers are usually highly appreciated by auto enthusiasts over the typical manufacturer shock and spring layout. The more expensive the coilovers, usually the better they are. Prices for coilovers can begin in the low $1,000 range with H&R and go up into the multiple thousand range, depending on performance levels. In coilovers, it is easier to dampen movement of the spring and stop oscillation, hence less bouncy rides. Lastly, one final note – a shock and a strut ARE NOT the same thing! They cannot replace each other. The strut is a structural part of the suspension system whereas the shock is not. Hopefully, this article was helpful in understanding the differences!

A Road Approved Track Car

Straight out of Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy from the Squadra Corse Motorsport Division arrives the SC18 Alston! The Lamborghini SC18 Alston is the first “one-off” by Squadra Corse. This stunning car takes style from the Lamborghini Huracán, while enabling itself further. Inside out, this car breathes a racing lifestyle. The car begins with a carbon fiber body in Grigio Daytona. From there, extreme aerodynamics create a beastly driving machine. Obviously, a bit more details will be found below!

6.5-Liter V12 Engine with 770 HP

The Lamborghini SC18 Alston sports a 6.5-liter V12 engine. This motor boasts 770 horsepower and 531 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine works in combo with an independent shifting rod optimized 7-speed transmission. The large amount of power complements the lighter weight, creating more agility. At only 4.3” high off the ground, this car is ready to zoom! But, if taken on the road, be sure to watch for potholes!

Inside Out Breakdown

On the exterior, the Lamborghini SC18 Alston has quite the fancy body. Firstly, there are air intakes on the front hood in the style of the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO. Secondly, the side and rear fenders plus the fins and air scoop are from the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO. Thirdly, a large carbon fiber wing with 3 mechanical adjustments complements the rear. Fourthly, there are 12 air intakes on the rear hood! No, you didn’t hear that wrong! Holy cow! Finally, the car finishes off with single nut 20” wheels on the front and 21” wheels on the back. On these wheels, specially engineered Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires scream performance.

Lamborghini SC18 Alston – Rear – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

Inside the car, the interior begins with Nero Ade Alcantara upholstery. This upholstery is furthermore exemplified by Rosso Alala cross-stitching. To top it off, carbon fiber bucket seats offer optimal racing comfort. From there, the Lamborghini dashboard provides a modern style and feel. Obviously, the gadgets are continually improving through the years, and this is no exception. Who wouldn’t want to hop into this spaceship and take off for Mars?

It’s Time to Hit the Track!

Now, it’s literally time to hit the track! Get out the Lamborghini SC18 Alston and go to track day! Well, if it’s within price range. Unfortunately, no visible price is available yet on the Lamborghini website. But, this will most likely be a bank breaker. With the powerful 6.5-liter V12 and the stunning aesthetics, this car is quite a living room display piece. Overall, this design by Squadra Corse is a great expansion of the Lamborghini auto library.

Inspiration from McLaren F1

McLaren Speedtail – Front – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

Recently, McLaren introduced its newest Ultimate Series Hyper GT model, the Speedtail. The McLaren Speedtail is quite an impressive car. With inspiration from the McLaren F1, this car has quite a few comparable features. It also has some features that shun previous records from the F1. Obviously, the F1 is a legendary car and will forever be remembered for being so. But, the Speedtail is the next generation of the F1. It truly is the best and fastest McLaren to date!

McLaren Speedtail – Side – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

Power Specifications

McLaren Speedtail – Top – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

The McLaren Speedtail boasts a petrol-electric powertrain with 1,036 horsepower. This new Ultimate Series Hyper GT’s basis on the F1 led to a higher goal. At only 3,152.6 lbs., this car can reach 186 mph in only 12.8 seconds! Yes, you heard that right! Furthermore, this car can reach a top speed of 250 mph! This makes this car the fastest McLaren to date on acceleration and top speed. Lastly, on top of the power specs, this car has perfect symmetry, following the F1.

McLaren Speedtail – Interior – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

Additional Speedtail Facts & Info

FIRST LOOK: McLaren Speedtail | Top Gear – YouTube

Starting off with the McLaren F1 inspired interior, the McLaren Speedtail has a 3-seat config with a center driver position. This allows for quite the control and view in this car. On top of this, McLaren intends to make 106 unique cars, using different colors, materials, and textures. Not surprisingly, the materials are inspired by the non-auto world of high fashion. Basically, this includes highly luxurious clothing, Yacht materials, and furniture materials. Obviously, this will push McLaren into a field that will set records for being first. The goal was to provide materials not typically used in automobiles. Before this article ends, it should be mentioned that this car does remind somewhat of the Jaguar XJ220… just saying. Overall, the McLaren Speedtail is a record-breaking company car that is taking the manufacturer to the next level.

All Electric, Highly Automated “SAV”

BMW Vision iNEXT – Overhead – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

BMW is working towards leading the future into the next generation of auto design. With the BMW Vision iNEXT, the company shows their dream for the next stage of the market. The BMW Vision iNEXT is an all-electric, highly automated, and fully connected sports activity vehicle (SAV). Although “SAV” is a new term, it is something that may become more popular moving into the next decade. On top of being an EV, this car features other design implementations that promote spaciousness. The purpose of these future car designs is to showcase a new level of relaxation while commuting to and from anywhere.

A Breakdown of Design

BMW Vision iNEXT – Interior – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

The BMW Vision iNEXT is a vehicle that receives all of its power from electric motors. Obviously, these motors work in conjunction with a battery. But, unfortunately, there is no available information on these types of specs yet. But there are a few design decisions that stand out. Firstly, the windscreen seamlessly combines with the panoramic roof. This creates an “open” feel to the cockpit of the car. Secondly, the car contains artificial intelligence as it learns every time it is driven. Thirdly, the car provides a digital display on demand, leaving distraction to a minimum for the driver. Finally, the interior has hand-woven Jacquard fabric with fine wood.

The Future of Cars is Coming!

The BMW Vision iNEXT – In Arcadia – BMW – YouTube

As manufacturers race to win the EV challenge of the current decade, cars such as the BMW Vision iNEXT show what is possible. With these designs, the future of cars is coming! And it is moving fast, with Mercedes ready to release a full line-up of EVs by the mid-2020s. BMW, an obvious competitor, is also facing off with its own line up of “iNext” vehicles. Even Audi is targeting the upcoming market with the e-tron models. Overall, electric vehicles will be the common car of the future.

The New 4-Door Audi EV Concept

At the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi revealed the E-Tron GT Concept. The Audi E-Tron GT Concept is a new EV for the streets of late 2020. This vehicle is an all-electric AWD EV with a range of around 248 miles. Audi states that a charge to 80% takes only 20 minutes for around 200 miles of driving. With four seats plus front and rear storage space, this car is perfect for a luxurious daily driver. Electric vehicles are the way of the future, so may as well hop on the bandwagon.

590 Horsepower with Electric Motors

Audi E-Tron GT Concept – Interior – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

For power, the Audi E-Tron GT Concept uses 590 horsepower of electric motors. These are found on the front and rear axles. To support the system, there is a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery system. This electrical setup allows the car to reach 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 149 mph. Furthermore, the battery can be charged wireless or via an 800-volt charging kit. In combo with a super low center of gravity and rear-axle steering, this car shall handle quite nicely as well.

Welcome to the Future of Audi

Audi E-Tron GT Concept – Side – Manufacturer Picture – EuroDrift

With the Audi E-Tron GT Concept, Audi shows the future of the company. Electric vehicles are the way of the future, and most manufacturers will follow the trend. On top of being environmentally friendly on a power level, the car has recycled fibers for the interior. This takes it even further in being a “green” car. Although 248 miles isn’t the best in the industry, the car is quite stunning. It kind of looks like an Audi A7, to be honest. Overall, the E-Tron GT Concept is a display of what is to come in the years to come.

The Legalization of Marijuana

In recent years, Washington, D.C. and 10 states have legalized recreational use of cannabis, also known as marijuana. In these states, it is legal to consume the product and carry up to a certain amount (i.e. one ounce). For some states, growing plants at home is also legal, but refer to local law before doing so. While marijuana should be legal for adults 21+ nationwide, there are quite a few things to pay attention to, such as driving. Drugged driving is a major issue in the United States, causing unexpected individuals fines and jail time. Simply put, don’t smoke marijuana then drive. As of November 2018, the locations where cannabis can be used legally are:

Alaska

California

Colorado

Maine

Massachusetts

Michigan

Nevada

Oregon

Vermont

Washington

Washington, D.C. (U.S. Capital)

The Effects on Operating a Vehicle

Although marijuana can be safely consumed at home, a handful of people have a misconception of driving while high. According to the U.S. Government, 2-5 ng/mL of THC can cause substantial driving impairment. And, even more so in occasional smokers. While on cannabis, a driver is two-fold likely to have an accident. Although high drivers tend to drive slower due to the drug, the control deteriorates, especially in increasingly complex situations. Research has shown that the effects include:

Cognitive Impairment

Diminished Perception of Vehicle Controls

Divided Attention

Poor Lane Positioning or Weaving

Reaction Time Reduction

Not surprisingly, using alcohol with marijuana increases the likelihood of an accident even higher. This can cause a driver to have worse lane control and slower reaction times, while driving faster due to alcohols diminishing effect on fear.

Driving High Isn’t Worth It!

The Try Guys Test High Driving – YouTube

Simply put, driving high isn’t worth it! Don’t smoke marijuana and drive! While marijuana may be legal in D.C. and 10 states, each of these locations enforces drugged driving laws. This means that if you’re caught high on marijuana operating a vehicle, you may be arrested or fined. Is it really worth it? Definitely not. Simply place an order online for food via one of the modern ordering apps. This way, you can relax at home while the carrier brings your munchies supplies. Overall, marijuana legalization is a positive move forward, but only if humans respect it, just like alcohol and other impairing drugs.

2010 Guinness World Record

In 2010, The 1962-1965 Peel P50 was declared “The World’s Smallest Production Car”. The Peel P50 is a three-wheel microcar with enough space for “one adult and one shopping bag” (advertisement by Peel in 1960s). The P50 is the main car by the Peel Engineering Company on the Isle of Man. This “city car” is quite the spectacle, with quite minimal options, and space. But, this car is quite the collectible. The car was initially worth $2,200 in 1963, but recently sold at a Sotheby’s Auction in March of 2016 for $170,000 USD. Furthermore, out of 50 total units produced, only 27 remain. This means that almost half of the P50s are gone.

Specifications of the Peel P50

From inside out, the 1962-1965 Peel P50 is quite a unique vehicle. Beginning with only one door, on the left side, this car stands out to most people. On the front, there is a single windscreen wiper and one headlight. Furthermore, there is no reverse gear, but a handle at the back allows for easy maneuverability. Lastly, the car arrives in three colors: Daytona White, Dragon Red, and Dark Blue.

Under the hood, the Peel P50 sports a 49cc, 4.2 horsepower engine. This motor works in combo with a 3-speed manual transmission. With a top speed of 38 mph, there is no need for a 0 to 60 time! Either way, who the heck would want to go 60 mph in a Peel P50!? Well, The Gamer Society tested this out while obtaining an achievement in Forza Horizon 4! Check out the video above to see it happen. In the video, the car has a much powerful engine, rating it from a D-Class to a B-Class. The mods include a new engine, AWD, racing equipment, and more!

Who Doesn’t Want to Drive a Peel P50?

The Smallest Car in the World at the BBC – Top Gear – BBC – YouTube

So, who doesn’t want to drive a Peel P50? Well, probably quite a few people. This vehicle is very small, so height and weight most likely play a huge role in comfort. When in need to go shopping, just take the Peel P50! Parking will be easy, hauling a single grocery bag may be easy, and safety will be zero to none. Just be sure not to get in a collision in this car, as it probably wouldn’t go well. Otherwise, this car would be fun to take out for a short joy ride. Overall, the Peel P50 is the world’s smallest car, and now the world’s smallest collector vehicle.